NEWARK, NJ--NJIT men's basketball incoming freshman Souleymane Diakite, one of the top five seniors from St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, was recognized on Tuesday, June 6 on the campus of NJIT, earning an Academic Achievement Award presented by Mayor Ras J. Baraka.

The Office of Comprehensive Community Education, Office of Mayor Ras J. Baraka, hosted a dinner event, honoring the top five seniors in every high school in Newark, NJ.

Diakite, who signed a National Letter of Intent to attend NJIT and play basketball for the Highlanders beginning in the Fall of 2018, attended St. Benedict's Prep, where the team went 28-2 overall and finished ranked in the Top 50 by USA Today Sports.

The 6-foot-9 native of Mali, Africa, played three seasons at Canterbury High School in Gran Canaria, Spain.  As a junior at the Canterbury School, he averaged a double-double – 17.6ppg and 11.2rpg.

Diakite, who speaks three languages (English, French and Spanish) and speaks two dialects (Bambava and Sonrhai) intends to study engineering or mathematics at NJIT.